PATHWAYS PROGRAM FOR HIRING MANAGERS

Hiring Reform

Executive Order 13562 established the Pathways Programs

The Internship Program

Recent Graduates Program

Presidential Management Fellows

Core PrinciplesTransparency- All job opportunities require

a public posting on USAJOBS and/or the agency’s website

Limited Scope- Workforce Planning Strategy and Annual Reporting to OPM

Fairness to Veterans-Veterans Preference and additional flexibilities

Agency Investment-Career and Training Development

OPM Oversight-MOU

Eligibility RequirementsEnrolled in an

accredited educational institution

Recent graduate of no more than 2 years

Recent veteran graduate of no more than 6 years

Home School

2-year or 4-year college or university

Graduate School

Technical/Vocational School

Roles and Responsibilities

AGENCY OPM MOU Training and Career

Development

Participation Agreement

Human Capital Reporting

Public Advertising

Schedule D Hiring Authority

Provide Program Oversight

Monitor Conversion Rates

Assist with Publically Announcing Vacancies

Pathways Programs

Pathways Programs replaces SCEP and STEPConversion of Current SCEP’s and STEP’s to Career-

Conditional or Career640 hours of work experience for internsConversion EligibilityPathways AgreementsTraining and Career DevelopmentMentoringProgram Surveys Orientation

Movement between Federal Agencies

Participants may transfer to another Federal agency and carry over the accumulated work experience.

Interns must accumulate 640 hours of work experience prior to conversion.

Time spent as an intern may be counted toward career tenure.

Also, 320 hours may be credited towards for work experience gained in a non-federal work setting

Participation AgreementAgreement will include:Description of dutiesWork SchedulesLength of appointment

and termination dateEvaluation proceduresMinimum Eligibility

requirements for non-competitive conversion in the competitive service

Program Requirements

The Pathways Agreement will void any prior agreements signed under SCEP or STEP

Every participant is required to sign a Pathways Participant Agreement

5 CFR 362.104(b) Requires each intern to sign a Pathways Agreement

Breaks in the ProgramUSDA may use its discretion to deny or

approve a break in the program.

A break in the program occurs when an intern is no longer working in the program.

Agency may:

Place students and recent graduates in areas that foster career advancement and challenging duties and responsibilities

Establish and IDP within 45 days of the official start date

Provide at least 40 hours of formal training

Extend the program period Promote students and recent

graduates

Provide meaningful work experiences

Convert interns to career or career-conditional appointments

USDA Scholarship ProgramsUSDA must comply with the Pathways Programs

and postpone the hiring of students in the Scholars Program until OPM issues a decision on the implementation of USDA’s Scholarship Programs as they relate to Pathways Programs. 

USDA Scholarship ProgramsAny student intern hire that does not comply with

the regulation constitutes an illegal appointment.  To comply with the regulation, the positions must

have the following in common:Publicly posted on USAJobs and open to anyone

interested in applyingA selection process, that includes qualifying students Applying Veteran’s preference must be used and

documented. A USDA Pathways Agreement must be signed by the

student and the Agency.

Best Practices and Pathways RequirementsCapstone ProjectTraining and Career DevelopmentMentoringSurvey ParticipationSupport Shadowing ExperiencesPerformance Reviews and Periodic FeedbackEncourage membership at USDA AcademyEncourage participation in USDA Connect blogs for

interns

Communication StrategiesIn an effort to keep you informed, various

communication strategies are being implemented.FAQ’sMemorandumsFact SheetsEmail’sBriefingsAnnouncementsDesk Aids

Questions?

Carol ScottUSDA Pathways Program Officer &Student Intern Development Program ManagerVirtual Universitycarol.scott@dm.usda.gov202-260-8364